Reel Works
Reel Works is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free filmmaking education and media-industry workforce development to NYC teens and underrepresented adults through mentorship, in-school workshops, and a credentialed talent pipeline into major studios.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersBrooklyn, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Reel Works does
Reel Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 and headquartered at 540 President St in Brooklyn, NY. It provides free filmmaking education and workforce development programs to New York City youth and underrepresented communities seeking careers in the media industry. Core programming comprises four lines: After School programs (Documentary Lab, Narrative Lab, Film School Fridays, Summer Lab) that pair teens aged 13-19 one-on-one with professional filmmaker mentors to produce original short films; In Schools & Communities, which delivers award-winning workshops directly into NYC public school classrooms; MediaMKRS, a workforce development program launched in July 2019 in partnership with the NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, CUNY, media companies, and unions that trains and credentials underrepresented New Yorkers for media careers; and The Studio at Reel Works, an Emmy-winning production company that employs emerging filmmakers on paid client projects.
The organization's underlying technology stack combines human-centered mentorship delivery with lightweight digital infrastructure: a Badge Credentialing System that tracked 1,549 industry-credentialed badges in 2024 (15 per Career Exploration graduate), the MediaMKRS Talent Portal at talent.mediamkrs.org for alumni profile and job-tracking, and standard nonprofit tooling (Salesforce CRM, Mailchimp, Stripe, Google Analytics, YouTube for film hosting). Reach in 2024 included 1,482 youth served (with demographic data), 675 students through the In Schools program, and 26 funding partners including 14 NYC City Council discretionary awards.
Reel Works is funded primarily through a diversified mix of foundation grants (Bloomberg, PwC, Altman, Charles Hayden, New York Community Trust), corporate sponsorships (Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery, Paramount), government awards (DYCD, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, City Council), individual donations, event proceeds (the 2022 ChangeMakers Gala raised over $500,000), and a one-time $2M Yield Giving Open Call grant awarded in March 2024. Earned revenue is generated through The Studio's production services, which earned $178,826 from 13 enterprise clients including Paramount, American Express, Hasbro, Samsung, Bank of America, and NBCUniversal. All youth-facing programs are free to participants, and revenue mechanics are characteristic of a grant-dependent nonprofit rather than a commercial enterprise.
Reel Works firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Reel Works
- Legal name
- Reel Works
- Website
- https://reelworks.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Reel Works is a Brooklyn-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free filmmaking education and media-industry workforce development to NYC teens and underrepresented adults through mentorship, in-school workshops, and a credentialed talent pipeline into major studios.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Reel Works industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Youth Filmmaking Education & Media Workforce Development
- NAICS
- Fine Arts Schools (611610), Teleproduction and Other Postproduction Services (512191), Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers (7115)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Workshops (EDAMAMAC), Screenwriting Workshops (Film/TV/Web) (EDAMAMAE)
Keywords
Where Reel Works is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Brooklyn
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Reel Works business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Foundation & Corporate Grants: Primary funding from foundations and corporations including Netflix, Bloomberg, PwC, Altman Foundation, Charles Hayden Foundation, and corporate sponsors. Reel Works was awarded $2 million from the Yield Giving Open Call in 2024.
- Government Grants: Funding from government sources including NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, DYCD, and City Council Member discretionary awards (14 awards in 2024).
- Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporate matching programs. The 2022 ChangeMakers Gala raised over $500,000.
- The Studio Revenue: The Studio at Reel Works is an Emmy-winning production company that earns revenue from client projects. In 2024, The Studio earned $178,826 in revenue from 13 clients.
- Event Sponsorships: Revenue from event sponsorships at the ChangeMakers Gala and Reel Works Film Festival, with tiered sponsorship opportunities available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free After-School Programs - Documentary Lab, Narrative Lab, Film School Fridays, Summer Lab, Supported Summer Lab, Career Lab |
| Freemium | Others | Free In-Schools Programs - Filmmaking workshops in NYC public school classrooms |
| Freemium | Others | Free Workforce Development - MediaMKRS training, internships, and career placement |
| One time/ perpetual license | Others | Event Tickets & Sponsorships - ChangeMakers Gala tickets and sponsorship packages |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels9 records
Reel Works product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Reel Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free filmmaking education and workforce development programs pairing NYC teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker mentors to create original documentaries, narrative films, and experimental projects. Its portfolio includes after-school labs, in-school classroom workshops, the MediaMKRS workforce training and credentialing program for underrepresented communities, and The Studio at Reel Works, an Emmy-winning production company that hires emerging filmmakers to produce commercial content for enterprise clients.
Product overview
Reel Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates a multi-program portfolio focused on youth filmmaking education and workforce development. The core offerings include After School Programs (Documentary Lab, Narrative Lab, Summer Lab, and related programs) that pair teens with professional filmmaker mentors for hands-on filmmaking training; In Schools & Communities (RWiS) which brings workshops into NYC public schools; and MediaMKRS, a workforce development program preparing underrepresented New Yorkers for media careers. The Studio at Reel Works is an Emmy-winning production company employing young filmmakers on client projects. The organization also hosts signature events including the ChangeMakers Gala, Reel Works Film Festival, and MediaMKRS Summit. All programs aim to diversify the media industry and empower youth through storytelling.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MediaMKRS: Workforce development program that diversifies the media landscape by training and credentialing rising talent from underrepresented communities for careers in media and entertainment.
- The Studio at Reel Works
Products and services
- After School Filmmaking Programs Free after-school filmmaking programs that pair NYC teens (ages 13-19) with professional filmmaker mentors to create original short documentaries, narrative, and experimental films covering writing, shooting, directing, and editing. Includes Documentary Lab, Narrative Lab, Film School Fridays, Summer Lab, Supported Summer Lab, and Career Lab.
- Documentary Lab Free after-school workshop for NYC teens ages 13-19 where students work one-on-one with professional mentors to create original short documentary films, learning writing, shooting, directing, and editing.
- Narrative Lab Free four-month after-school program where NYC teens learn screenwriting, producing, cinematography, editing, and sound to create original short narrative films, premiering at the Reel Works Film Festival.
- In Schools & Communities (RWiS) Brings award-winning filmmaking workshops into NYC public school classrooms, providing career-connected learning and hands-on media training for high school students.
- The Studio at Reel Works Emmy-winning production company that hires emerging filmmakers to collaborate with industry professionals and create content for enterprise clients including Paramount, American Express, Hasbro, Samsung, Bank of America, NBCUniversal, and Shutterstock; revenue supports Reel Works' educational programming.
- MediaMKRS Workforce Development Program Workforce development program in partnership with NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, CUNY, media companies, and unions that trains and credentials talented New Yorkers from underrepresented communities for media and entertainment careers through training, work experience, networking, and industry credentials.
- Dual Language Documentary Lab Bilingual filmmaking program guiding English-Spanish speaking NYC teens in creating documentaries about their cultural identities; funded by NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns.
- Train and Earn Program DYCD-funded workforce development initiative for NYC youth ages 16-24 who are not in school or employed, focused on technical and soft skills for workforce readiness in media.
- MediaMKRS Talent Portal Online alumni portal for MediaMKRS participants to maintain profiles, job history, contact information, and professional websites; also tracks badges and connects users with media-industry employment opportunities.
- ChangeMakers Gala Annual flagship fundraising event at venues such as the Ziegfeld Ballroom, celebrating industry change makers and emerging filmmakers; offers tickets and tiered sponsorship opportunities.
- Reel Works Film Festival Annual film festival showcasing narrative and documentary films created by young filmmakers, featuring student work screenings and awards including Best Documentary, Best Cinematography, and Best Animation.
- MediaMKRS Summit Annual summit bringing together diverse stakeholders from education, industry, government, and alumni to address diversity in the media and entertainment industry and shape a more inclusive future; hosted at venues such as Paramount.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1,482 youth served in 2024
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Reel Works
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Reel Works technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
Feature3 records
Reel Works partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NYC Mayor's Office of Media and EntertainmentcorePrimary government partner for MediaMKRS workforce development program. Provides funding, internship placements, and industry connections for underrepresented New Yorkers seeking media careers. Partnership supports Film and Digital Media Tax Credit Program initiatives.
- City University of New York (CUNY)coreEducational partner for MediaMKRS workforce development. CUNY internship coordination and academic pathway connections for program graduates.
- LaGuardia Community CollegecoreThree-year partnership connecting 45 NYC students to 62 paid media internships since 2023 through MediaMKRS LaGuardia & MetLife Foundation program.
- NetflixcoreMajor funder and partner supporting Reel Works programs and MediaMKRS workforce development. Major studio building at Fort Monmouth.
- Warner Bros. DiscoverycoreKey industry partner for workforce development including VFX Coordinator Training program. 14 graduates in NYC cohort. Also funder through WarnerMedia Access to Action.
- Paramount GlobalcoreHost venue for MediaMKRS Summit; internship placements; client for The Studio production company; hosts Career Day events.
- Theatrical Teamsters Local 817coreUnion partner for Casting Assistant Training Program, helping emerging professionals launch careers in casting.
- Mayor's Office of Criminal JusticecorePartnership with Reel Works in Schools for filmmaking program serving justice-impacted youth in Brooklyn. Teaches professional filmmaking skills while amplifying community stories.
- IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees)coreMultiple union partnerships including Local 798 (Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists), Local 764 (Wardrobe), and other IATSE locals for workforce training programs in entertainment industry crafts.
- HBOcorePartnership for costume design training through HBO's 'The Gilded Age' / Local USA 829 program; guest speakers at VFX Coordinator training.
- AMC NetworksminorPartner in Casting Assistant Training Program for emerging entertainment professionals.
- Framestore NYCcoreVFX studio host venue for Warner Bros. Discovery VFX Coordinator Training graduation ceremony.
- Phosphene VFXcoreNYC training partner for VFX Coordinator program; Emmy-nominated instructors Renuka Ballal and Alexis Sansone led the training curriculum.
- NBCUniversalcoreClient for The Studio production company; internship placements; partner for Creative Impact Lab; Black Employee Network career panel sponsorship.
- Harbor Picture CompanyminorBlack History Month film screening partner; hosts LA alumni events with industry professionals.
- Stockade WorksminorCollaborative partner for costume design training with HBO's 'The Gilded Age'.
- RadicalMediaminorMedia company hosting MediaMKRS alumni internships.
- Department of Motion PicturesminorMedia company hosting MediaMKRS alumni internships.
- Jigsaw ProductionsminorMedia company hosting MediaMKRS alumni internships.
- Fordham UniversityminorAcademic partner for 'Nuestro Apoyo' short film, with Dr. Jenn Lilly providing research for screenplay development.
- Tribeca Film FestivalminorOpportunity for Reel Works students to attend festival and engage with industry professionals through NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.
- Girls Write NowminorPartner organization for collaborative workshop on scriptwriting and mobile filmmaking.
- The Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art)minorPartner for Teens Take The Met event introducing students to 2D animation through hands-on demo.
- The MillminorPost-production company providing workshops on editing, VFX, and color for Reel Works students.
- PanavisionminorCamera equipment rental facility providing facility tours for MediaMKRS participants.
- A+E Factual StudiosminorPartner for Career Day events highlighting unscripted television production roles.
- Sandbox FilmsminorHosted Master Class with director Sara Dosa; moderated by Reel Works Board Member Jessica Harrop.
Scale indicators16 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Reel Works competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ghetto Film School: Ghetto Film School is a direct peer offering free, multi-year filmmaking education and mentorship to high school students from under-resourced communities, with locations in the Bronx, LA, and London. It shares Reel Works' core 1:1 mentor model, youth documentary/narrative focus, and industry-internship pipeline.
- Inner-City Filmmakers: Inner-City Filmmakers is a direct peer providing free media-arts education, mentoring, and paid internship placement to underrepresented youth in Los Angeles. It mirrors Reel Works' MediaMKRS model — pairing industry mentors with teens and placing graduates into studio jobs.
- ReelAbilities Film Festival: Reel Abilities is a direct peer in youth-focused disability and media-arts programming, running film festivals, education programs, and mentorship. While narrower in focus (disability inclusion), its combination of free filmmaking education, industry partnerships, and festival platform closely parallels Reel Works' structure.
- Educational Video Center: Educational Video Center is a NYC-based direct peer running in-school and after-school youth documentary filmmaking programs, plus teacher training. It mirrors Reel Works In-Schools and Documentary Lab in mission, pedagogy, and school-district partnership model.
Emerging players
- National YoungArts Foundation: YoungArts identifies and supports exceptional young artists (ages 15-18) across disciplines including film, providing mentorship, master classes, and career-launch support. It overlaps with Reel Works on film-track programming and a national alumni network, but operates at a higher-selectivity tier.
- Docs In Progress: Docs In Progress provides documentary education, works-in-progress screenings, and artist development for emerging and mid-career documentary makers. It overlaps with Reel Works' Documentary Lab and is a relevant regional adjacent for documentary-focused training.
Broad incumbents
- SFFILM: SFFILM is a broad incumbent running the San Francisco International Film Festival alongside year-round film education programs for students and educators. It is a useful comparison as a regional film society with established youth education, festival, and industry programming.
- Jacob Burns Film Center: Jacob Burns Film Center is a Westchester-based nonprofit operating an arthouse cinema, media lab, and K-12 filmmaking education programs. It is comparable to Reel Works on the education-and-mentorship side but is a more established institution with its own physical theater.
- Film Independent: Film Independent runs the Spirit Awards, FIND Filmmaker Residencies, and educational programs (including Project:Involve) supporting emerging diverse filmmakers. It is comparable to Reel Works' MediaMKRS pathway in driving underrepresented talent into the industry, though its primary focus is on independent adult filmmakers.
Others
- Allied Media Projects: Allied Media Projects is a Detroit-based nonprofit that supports media makers and organizers, including youth and community storytelling initiatives. It is an adjacent ecosystem peer — overlapping with Reel Works' mission of using media for social impact — but does not directly compete in the same programs or geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Reel Works social profiles
Digital presenceReel Works financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Reel Works leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Reel Works funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Reel Works M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Reel Works
What does Reel Works do?
Reel Works is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free filmmaking education and workforce development programs pairing NYC teens 1:1 with professional filmmaker mentors to create original documentaries, narrative films, and experimental projects. Its portfolio includes after-school labs, in-school classroom workshops, the MediaMKRS workforce training and credentialing program for underrepresented communities, and The Studio at Reel Works, an Emmy-winning production company that hires emerging filmmakers to produce commercial content for enterprise clients.
Is Reel Works a public or private company?
Reel Works is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Reel Works founded?
Reel Works was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Reel Works based?
Reel Works is headquartered in Brooklyn, United States, in the North America region.
How does Reel Works make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Foundation & Corporate Grants are the primary driver. The others are government Grants, donations, the Studio Revenue and event Sponsorships.
Who are Reel Works's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ghetto Film School, Inner-City Filmmakers, ReelAbilities Film Festival and Educational Video Center. Emerging players are National YoungArts Foundation and Docs In Progress. Broad incumbents are SFFILM, Jacob Burns Film Center and Film Independent. Allied Media Projects is listed as an others.
Does Reel Works have an API?
No public API is recorded for Reel Works.
What industry is Reel Works in?
Reel Works's product category is Youth Filmmaking Education & Media Workforce Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGADAG, STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits, with a secondary code of EDAMAMAC, Creative Nonfiction & Memoir Workshops. Its NAICS code is 611610 and its SIC code is 7812.